Young footballer in critical condition after cardiac arrest during game

A 14-year-old boy from Trowbridge is in critical condition in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during a football match in Bromham yesterday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Bromham Social Centre when the boy collapsed after complaining of feeling unwell while playing for Bradford Town Youth in a Mid Wilts Youth and Minor League under 14 cup match against Bromham.

There was a defibrillator on scene and first aid trained personnel and an off-duty paramedic provided CPR before the paramedics arrived.

An ambulance crew were on scene in five minutes, two paramedics in rapid response vehicles attended within ten minutes. Wiltshire Air Ambulance landed on the playing field at 3.05pm, carrying a critical-care paramedic and a critical care doctor from Great Western Air Ambulance attended in a car at 3.30pm.

On arrival, ambulance service clinicians immediately took over, including providing advanced life support, which re-started the boy’s heart and breathing.

The attendance of a critical-care doctor meant the boy could be anaesthetised to allow him to be stabilised while he was taken to hospital.

The boy was taken to Bristol Children’s Hospital by road as there were fears that weather conditions in Bristol would cause difficulties for the helicopter to land.

John Oliver, spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service, said: “Clearly the patient suffered an immediately life-threatening cardiac arrest and remains in a critical state.

"However, the excellent care he received throughout – even before we arrived at the scene – has ensured we were able to take him to the best location in a stable condition and he has therefore been given the very best chance of surviving and recovering.”

Nick Maw, Chairman of Bradford Town Youth Football Club, said: “The club’s thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family at this time.

“We are waiting to hear news on the boy’s progress but the emergency services were on the scene within minutes and did a fantastic job.”

I too hope he pulls through, people tend to think it is only older people who suffer heart attacks, it is not the case though and luckily everyone here did all the right things quickly and so have given this lad the best chance of a good recovery. Please keep us updated.

I too hope he pulls through, people tend to think it is only older people who suffer heart attacks, it is not the case though and luckily everyone here did all the right things quickly and so have given this lad the best chance of a good recovery. Please keep us updated.redrum